ALUMINUM: Rio Tinto to upgrade Alma smelter

QUEBEC – Montreal-based Rio Tinto Alcan is upgrading its aluminum smelter at Alma for an estimated cost of $12 million. The project is to be complete in the second half of 2016.

The smelter's AP30 technology will be upgraded to AP44 to enhance productivity and performance while reducing operating costs. The change will be achieved mainly through an increase to the amperage level in the aluminum reduction cells during electrolysis.

More about Rio Tinto's aluminum business is available at RioTintoAlcan.com.